Selective plural digit indicator



5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1953 J..M. MELICK SELECTIVE PLURAL DIGIT INDICATOR Filed Feb. 11, 195o F lG. 2

/N VE /V TOR By JM. M5L /c -1 4 T TQRNE V J. M. MELICKA l2,648,830

SELECTIVE PLURAI.. DIGIT INDICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 11, 1953 l Filed Feb. 11, 195o J. M. MELICK sELEcTIvE PLURAL DIGIT INDICATOR Aug. 11, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 11, 1950 /NVEA/Top By` J.M. MEL/CK J. M. MELICK SELECTIVE PLURAL DIGIT INDICATOR Aug. 11, y1953 Filed Feb. 11, 195o 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 YQ .Sk

/NVENTOP J. M. ME l. /CK

"MVM

ATTORNEY Aug. 1l, 1953 J.-M. MELlcK 2,648,830

SELECTIVE PLURAL DIGIT INDICATOR Filed Feb. 11. 195o 5 sheets-sheet 5 /N VEN 7`OR J. M. M5L /cK A7' TORNEI( Patented Aug. 11., 14953 [TED "'TPZTENT OFFICE John M. Meliek; Cr'esskill, A4Ni i Telephone C Laboratories,

-This invention relates to 'digit :recordersrand lmore particularly to a Visualdisplay type 'digital indicator.

vAn object of this -inventimris'to@mondenk digit recorder of efficient 'operation'and "bffij reduced cost of'manufacture. h y

Another object of this linventionjisto provide a digit recorder in which'ia"seriesfbelerxtentl digital indicators are successively "cml'e'rat'edv by a selective means common thereto. l

A further object 'of this invention'is toprviiie a digital indicator kwith certain partsthereoi performing Va dual function fof 1 s eleciiniand restoral.

In general, lthe 'i'rivention'fmy befusdfwlirever electrical digitalrepresentations are'jjtofbe converted A`into a visualj'display "of"'the"rep`re senteddigits. For example; in 'telephone'- sviiiching systems, call indicators are VireduentlyTernployed to convert the jdigital"representation "20 five code bars selectively operableunderthecon- '1 trol of a single set of five electromagnetsf-'iscommon to all ofthe. groups of numbercards. initial energization of two ofthe' 'vaelectromagnets will permit the selected one ofthef. cards in the first group of cards? to be ,partially/'. displaced, but means are provided tolprev'entlany card vin the other groups of cards fronib'e'ingldisplaced at this time. Upon' the release-oftheoperated electromagnets, these'lected card `is v fully displaced to the reading posi-tion; 'theremainirig rst digit cards are lockedin anon-'readingposition and the second group-of'c'ards are. prepared for lselectiveV 'displacement uponl thef'neit Q energization of two' ofthe" flve'electroinagnts, and so forth. Means'are provided-iorrestoringthe apparatus to normal upon the completion .of the recording and after the linformation 'displayed by the system has fullled'its function.

A more complete understanding ofjtheabovementioned and other' features of theinvetion may be obtained from 'the' iollowingidetajild; description of a preferredembo'diment 'of'theinvention when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which: A

Fig. l-showsa front View of adig'it'icordlio -tepf^parttftne @overeen-ovad- A downward force is exerted on each oftlie no card may be displaced vertically until the locking bar 22 is displaced laterally. This bar is supported by brackets 24 and is normally biased to the left by a spring 25 (Fig. 6). It is movable to the right upon the operation of any one of the flve electromagnets 21 to 3l, the armature of each of those magnets engaging notches at the edge of locking bar 22 (Figs. 2 and The second means operative to prevent the vertical displacement of the number cards is a series of code bars 32 to 36 each having a plurality of projections extending forwardly of the plane of the front number card in each group and appearing either spaced from the left edges of the number cards or extending through large central apertures 31 in those cards. Each of the cards is provided with a series of notches along its two left-hand'edges in alignment with all or some of these code bars 32 to 36. As will be seen hereinafter, some of these notches are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the code bar projections, while others are of substantially greater width.

The code bars 32 to 36 are slidably supported by brackets 24, are biased to the rig-ht by springs 38, and are normally held to the left by the electromagnets 21 to 3I. Although any suitable arrangement may be employed, in the disclosed preferred embodiment of the invention, the armature of electromagnet 21 engages a notch in code bar 32 only, the armature of electromagnet 28 engages a notch in code bar 33 only, and electromagnets 29, 30 and 3| are similarly individually associated with the code bars 34, 35 and 36, respectively. Upon the energization of any of these electromagnets, the associated code bars are permitted to move laterally to the right under the force exerted by the associated individual springs 38 whereby the projections on the code bars engage narrow or wide notches in the number cards in the groups II to I1. The electromagnets 21 to 3i., and therefore the code bars 32 to 36, are herein assumed to be operated on a two-out-of-ve code basis. Therefore, the notches in the number cards are suitably arranged so that upon the energization of two of the ve electromagnets, representing a certain digit, the one card in each of the groups II to I1 bearing that digital notation will be free to move downwardly while all other cards in each of the groups will be prevented from being displaced. Thus in accordance with one conventional system, the cards in each group may be notched so that the cards bearing the following digital notations will be displaced upon the energization of the following electromagnets and upon the consequent movement of the following code bars:

Thus, in Fig. 1, the No. 1 card in each group II to I1 is assumed to be at the front. With reference to group I5, if code bar 32 be moved laterally to the right, projection 39 will engage large notch 4I) and will not inhibit the downward movement of the No. 1 card; if code bar 33 be moved to the right, projection 4I will engage large notch 42 and will also not inhibit the downward movement of the No. 1 card; but if any of the other code bars 34 to 36 are moved laterally, the projections thereon will engage narrow notches in the No. 1 card and downward movement of that card will be prevented.

Since, as will be seen hereinafter, both the locking bar 22 and two of the ve code bars 32 to 36 are moved to the right in the process of registering each digit, means are provided for preventing the displacement of any card in any but that one of the digit groups II to I1 next to be employed. This means comprises a plurality of substantially Y-shaped latch members 44 which are pivotally mounted about pins 45. As will be described in detail hereinafter, each of these latches is normally positioned to prevent any card in any but the first group II to be displaced. Upon the selective displacement of one of the cards in the rst digital group, the latch 44 intermediate the first digital group I I and the second digital group I2 is moved to a position as shown in Fig. 1 whereby the remaining cards in the first group are thereafter locked in their normal non-displaced positions and the cards of the second digital group I2 are released for selective displacement.

Referring now to the operational schematic drawings, Figs. 6 and 6A show front and top Views, respectively, of a portion of the apparatus in its normal unoperated position, with the cards of all groups locked by the locking bar 22 and with the cards of the second and third digital groups I2 and I3 locked by the engagement of the right-hand bifurcations of latches 44 engaging projections 46 on all of the cards in those groups.

Let it now be assumed that magnets 21 and 29 are operated to cause the digit 2 to be recorded by the rst digital group II. Upon the operation of any one or more of the magnets 21 to 3I, the locking bar 22 is moved to the right to the position shown in Figs. 7 and '7A whereby projections 23 no longer engage any of the cards. In addition, upon the operation of magnets 21 and 29, code bars 32 and 34 are moved to the right by springs 38. For purposes of clarity, the No. 1 card of group II, the Nos. 1 and 2 cards of group I2, and the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 cards of group I3 are assumed to have been removed. The projections on the code bars 32 and 34 engage wide slots in the No. 2 card of group I I and a projection on at least one of these two bars engages a narrow slot in each of the remaining cards in group II. Therefore, card No. 2 will move downwardly under the action of its associated spring 2l until the projection 41 on that card strikes the hook portion of latch 44, as shown in Fig. 7. This hook portion is prevented from being rotated counter-clockwise by pin 48 which is mounted on the locking bar 22. It may be noted that at this time the selected card has moved only through a portion of its travel, as is shown in Fig. '1.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 8A, at the release of the operated electromagnets 21 and 29, code bars 32 and 34 are again returned to the left to their normal positions and locking bar 22 is moved to the left by spring 25. The locking bar projections 23 again engage notches in all but the selected card to lock those cards. 'I'he slot in the selected card is sufficiently wide so that the locking bar 22 may not impede the further downward movement of that card. When the locking bar 22 moves to the left, the pins 48 are carried therewith, releasing the latch 44. The projection 41 on the selected card therefore cams the latch 44 and the selected card completes its travel to the reading position. The selected numeral 2 is illuminated by lamp 20.

The counter-clockwise camming of the latch 44 results in the left-hand bifurcation thereof engaging projections 49. to restrain any others of the cards in the nrst digital group II from being subsequently displaced, and causes the, right'.- hand bifurcation thereof to disengage projections 46 whereby a card in the second digital group I2 may be selectively displaced. The magnets 28 and 29 are then operated and released to record the digit 3, momentarily traversing locking bar and code bars 33 and 34 to the right and back to the left whereby the No. 3 digit card of the second digital group I2 is selectively displaced to a reading position and the latch 44 associated with the cards of the second and third digital groups I2 and I3 is cammed counter-clockwise to lock the remaining cards of the second digital group I2 and to prepare the cards of the third digital group I3 to be selectively displaced. The apparatus continues to function in this fashion until the received number is recorded in a reading position.

Referring again to Figs. l, 2 and 5|, after the information recorded has been used, the apparatus is restored to normal by the operation of magnet 5i. rlhis operates the restoral apparatus which comprises a roller 52 integral with the armature of restoring magnet 5I, a restoral bar 53, a restoral member 62. bell crank 59, and a code bar locking bracket 53.

Referring to the operational sketches of Figs. 9 and 9A, upon the energization of eleetromagnet 5I, roller 52 moves restoral bar 53 forwardly to cause projection 54 on that bar to engage notch 55 in the locking bar 22. (Reference may be made to Fig, llA for a view of .these elements vdis-- engaged.)

A bracket 56 (Fig. 9) is aixed to the armature of electromagnet 5i .and depends downward-ly therefrom. Upon the energization .of that electromagnet, this bracket engages notches in the code bars 32 to 36 to lock those code bars in their normal position.

Referring now to Figs. l and 10A, upon thel energization of electromagnet. i, a plurality of sets of contacts 5l are actuated and these con-y tacts close circuits (not shown) to energize all of the Aelectromagnets 21 to 3.I. The oper-ation oi these ve electromagnets draws the locking bar 22 to the right as above described. Since the locking bar 22 and the restoral 4bar 53 have been interlocked by the operation of electromagne't :54, the restoral bar 53 will also be moved to the right under the force exerted by all five electromagnets 27 to 3l. A force is thereby exerted by pins v58 integral with the restoral bar 53., on the lower arms of bell cranks 59 which are pivotal-ly mounted about pins 60, (It may be noted that for purposes of clarity, in the operational schematics of Figs. 9, 9A, 10, 10A, 1l and 11A the bell cranks 59 have been shown to be mounted at the front of the apparatus rather than behind the number cards as is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.) The 4bell cranks 59 will thereby be rotated and pins 5I mounted at the extremes of the upper arms of those bell cranks will exert an upward force on the restoral member 62 and that member will be displaced upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 10. Pins 63 on restoral member 52 engage the upper edges of apertures in all of the displaced number cards to raise all of the displaced cards to their normal positions. It: may be noted that none of the. above-described holding means is operative atv this time to prevent this upward movement of the number cards. The locking bar 22 has been displaced to the right, the code bars 32 to 36 have been held to the left by bracket 5G, and the latches 44 are flexible and are cammed out of the way by the upward movement of the displaced number cards.

Upon the deenergization of electromagnet 5I, the electromagnets 21 to 3l are also released, the locking :bar returns to the left as does the re-v storal 'bar 53, the bell cranks restore permitting the restoral member 52 to return to itsy normal position, the restoral, bar 53 is disassociated from. the locking bar 22 and the bracket 56 moves rearwardly to release the code bars 32 to 36 and the apparatus is restored to its. normal condition as shown in Figs. 11 and 11A. The number cards are then held by the previously described means in preparation for the next recordation of received digits.

it is. believed to be apparent that the system may readily be expanded or contracted to provide Yfor the registration of any required number of digits. The disclosed two-out-of-iive code basis is but exemplary., and decimal or other bases may be used.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are but illustrative of the application .of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the. art Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. l

What is claimed is:

1. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, a series of code bars for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups of cards,A means for selectively operating said code bars, and means controlled by said code bar operating means for successively permitting the. selected card in successive ones of said groups of cards to be displaced.

2. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, unitary means for selecting one of the cards in `each Kof said groups Vof cards, and means normally permitting the displacement Vof the selected card in the nrst of said groups only and operative in response to the displacement of a .card in .said firstgroup for permitting the selective displacement of a card in the second of said groups.

3. ln a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups oi cards, unitary means for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups of cards, and

means permitting the displacement Yof the selected card in the first of said groups only and operative in response to the displacement of a card in said Vfirst group for permitting the selective displacement of a lcard in the second of said groups, and for thereafter preventing the displacement of any other .card in said first group.

4. In a digit recording apparatus, two groups of cards, means common to said groups for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups, and latching means normally preventing the selective displacement of any of the cards in said second group and operative in response to the selective displacement of a card in said iirst group for thereafter permitting the selective displacement of one of said second group of cards.

5. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, means common to said groups for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups, and latching means common to adjacent 7' one of said groups of cards and operative in response to the selective displacement of a card in one of said adjacent groups for thereafter permitting the selective displacement of a card in the other of said adjacent groups.

6. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, means common to said groups for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups, and latcliing means common to adjacent one of said groups of cards and operative in response to the selective displacement of a card in one of said adjacent groups for thereafter permitting the selective displacement of a card in the other of said adjacent groups, and for thereafter preventing the displacement of any other card in said one of said adjacent groups.

v7. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, selecting means common to said groups for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups, locking means normally preventing the displacement of any of the cards in any of said groups and means controlled by said selecting means for releasing said locking means to permit the selective displacement of said cards.

8. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, selecting means operable to select one of the cards in each of said groups, locking means normally locking said cards, means controlled by said selecting means for releasing said locking means, and means controlled by said locking means for successively permitting the selected cards in the successive ones of said groups to be displaced.

9. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, selecting means operable tol select one of the cards in each of said groups, locking means normally locking said cards and operative in response to said selecting means for releasing said cards, and latching means operative in response to said locking means and to the displacement of a card in the first of said groups for successively permitting the cards in the successive ones of said groups to be selectively displaced.

10. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, selecting means operable to select one of the cards in each of said groups, locking means normally locking said cards and operative in response to said selecting means for releasing said cards, and latching means operative in response to said locking means and to the displacement of a card in the rst of saidgroups for successively permitting the cards in the successive ones of said groups to be selectively displaced, and for locking all others .of said groups of cards.

1l. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of displaceable number cards, a plurality of electromagnets common to said groups, a plurality of code bars selectively actuatable by said electromagnets for selecting one of the cards in each of said groups, locking means normally preventing the 'displacement'cf any of said card-s and `operable by any of said electromagnets to permit-the displacement of saidcards, latching means normally locking all but the first of said groups of cards and operative in response to the selective displacement of one of the cards in the rst of said groups for unlocking the second of said groups and for locking the rst of said groups and thereafter operable successively to unlock said groups of cards.

l2. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of number cards, one group for each of a plurality of digits to be recorded, means for selectively displacing one of the number cards from each of the successive ones of said groups, actuating means, restoring means actuatable to restore the selected cards, and means for connecting said actuating means to said restoring means. Y j

13. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, one group for each of a plurality of digits to be recorded, selecting means common to said groups for selectively displacing a card in each of the successive ones of said groups, actuating means, restoring means actuatable to restore the selected cards, and means including an electromagnet for connecting said actuating means to said restoring means.

14. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, selecting means including a plurality of electro-magnets for selectively displacing a card in each of said groups, restoring apparatus actuatable to restore the displaced cards, means conditioning said restoring apparatus and energizing said electromagnets, and means controlled by said electromagnets for actuating said restoring apparatus.

15. In a digit recording apparatus, a plurality of groups of cards, a plurality of electromagnets, a plurality of code bars operable by said electromagnets to permit the selective displacement of a card in each of said groups, a locking bar displaceable by the operation of any of said electromagnets, a restoral bar, electromagnetically operable means for locking said code bars, for linking said restoral bar to said locking bar and for operating said electromagnets whereby said locking bar and said restoral bar are displaced, and a restoral member operative in response to the displacement of said restoral bar for restoring the displaced ones of said cards.

JOI-IN M. MELICK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,462 Kleinschmidt Aug. 3, 1937 1,026,779 Woodrui May 2l, 1912 1,418,702 Dippel June 6, 1922 2,149,343 Hubbard Mar. 7, 1939 2,329,782 Panissidi Sept. 21, 1943 2,452,568 Harrison Nov. 2, 1948 

